Feel the Burn

Hunter had me open the garage so he could get the sled out and then It wouldn't close. So I had to dig my way, from the front door, to the garage. Only to find that he had knocked over a box of garbage bags so the door couldn't close. It took me about half and hour of digging. Let me tell you, I am sore. I don't get much physical excersise these day and wow! I can feel the burn. I think I might have even pulled a muscle the snow was so heavy.

Tis the season

I love the snow because I haven't had to go out in it. But that is about to change. One of my clients needs her meds. My husband's work is closing early so he and his 4 wheel drive is gonna drive me where I need to go.

Tis the season

Ok, here is what happens every time we try and take family pictures. Oh, it starts out so fun, then....

Wait for it...

OK, It is time!

Two smiling (finally) and

two crying :(

Decorating the tree

Tonight was our tree decorating ceremony. It wasn't too bad, Dad kept control of all the ornaments the kids put on the tree. Last year was a disaster when I tried to keep control. Even in Kirby's prayer he was thankful that the day ended up good.

Kirby's B-day

We celebrated Kirby's b-day. I can't decide if it is nice to have it this close to Christmas or if it's a bad thing. This year.... not so bad. We waited until Saturday then had a few kids over and 3 hours later it was over and he was happy:)

Fun with the Fam.

I sent Hunter downstairs to get something this morning and he came up with the box of cookie cutters. So tonight I got it together enough to make some dough. Then dad helped the kids roll it. I started cooking them then we all sat down and frosted them.

Moving On

It is getting close to to the holidays again. I was talking w/Chelsey about how sad it was when everyone grew up and one by one they stopped comming home for the holiday's. It made my heart hurt so bad I thought it was going to break. Now I feel the same kind of pain. It all started at Cathy's, my sister, wedding. It didn't really exploid until a couple months after that. Chelsey and I were commenting on how petty our family can be. We take things too seriously and it usually goes right to the heart. So, when someone isn't pulling there weight we tend to get angry, instead of expressing ourselves. So, "The Sister's" were working hard to pull together Cathy's reception. We sent signals to a brother's family that weren't of a happy nature. Needless to say with no communication feelings got hurt. I didn't realize how much until a few months later, thus, the explosion. We aired things out and now everything is back to normal.... but not really. This is one of those things that my heart hurts so bad. Nothing will ever be the same. You can't take anything back or change anything, you just move on. My heart doesn't work that way. I know that overtime it will finally accept the fact that nothing is ever the same. My old boss, Ron, told me that you can't look back and you can't look forward. You have to live for the here and now. So that is what I am trying to do. " Every day is fresh with no mistakes." (Anne Shirley)

Letting Go

Yesterday I was "let go" from my part time job. I have been working for them for almost 4 years. It is scary for me and Jimmy yet at the same time I am feeling some peace that this is where my life should be going. They were very accomodating to me when I needed it and I was accomodating to them. I guess it is time for a new chapter in my life. I will be letting go of my working life and I will be able to be a mom! It will be the first time that I will be able to spend days with my children. Hopefull I won't forget kids at the bus stop, or get locked out of my house. A week ago Hunter locked me out again... Yesterday he closed the door and said Mom I locked you out again, go check the door. Little did he know I had an extra set of keys, So I went and checked and he was laughing because he didn't lock me out. He was just playing a joke on me. So, here is to my new life (starting next week)

Field Trip :)

Yes today was Hunter's fall field trip. We went up to Greenbluff (shocker) with about 100 other first grade classes. It actually wasn't that bad, just a little crowded. Fall is in the air and it was a bit nippy. The kids loved it. Hunter loved picking out his own pumkin. He got to pick his own apple too, he took one bite and spit it out and threw the apple. They were fresh apples and he wasn't used to the "fresh apple" taste. (He didn't clean it off very well either.) We went to Hidden Acres, last year we went to Carver Farm(?) and I was more impressed last year. They stopped the hay ride and the kids got to pick like 3 things out of the field. It was still fun this year.

What are friends for?

On Monday night a friend, from church, called us and asked Jimmy and I to give a talk on Sunday. The topic that we were asked to speak on is gratitude. Go figure. I am thankful that I have a job that keeps me so busy, so busy that I forget to pick my son up. No, really I feel like I am a thankful person. I am always try to find things to be thankful for in all of my situations. Usually I am thankful that I can laugh about my situations, even if it is at a later date.

Forgetful Moment

So much for life slowing down. Yesterday the girls and I were on the go by 11 am. We went and visited clients and went to a Dentist apt. w/ a client. Then I received a call from another client saying that she had a Dr. apt. and needed a ride. So, I ended up meeting Jimmy at her house and swapping cars so he took the girls. He was draining her pool and I was at the Dr.'s when he remembered Hunter. He called me, I didn't answer. Hello! Doctors office! Then I received a call from the school so I had to answer. Yes, we forgot to pick up Hunter at the bus stop. Whoops! She, the bus driver, waited about 5 minutes then headed back to the school. The "bus barn" called and said that Hunter would be there because there was no one in the office at the elementary school. Meanwhile Jimmy was looking for him at the elementary school, in his classroom. So I called Jimmy and told him that Hunter was at the bus barn. About that time I get another call from the elementary Principal and she had eneded up with Hunter and took him to the High School Football field. I called Jimmy again and he actually knew that info but didn't know which field he was at. He finally saw Hunter running around and brought all the kids to do another switch. I forgot to mention that another client had called and was en-route to the hospital, she was having problems breathing. Jimmy had an apt. @ 5:30 so I took the kids home and made dinner (cereal) and waited for Jimmy to get home so I could go the the hospital to check on that client. Moral of the story is the girls were on the road till about 6 O'clock. That was one long day.

Life

Life actually has slowed down for us in some aspects. Hunter and Kirby are not playing any sports right now. Jayden is 3 and she will sit and play Polly Pockets for hours. Sophia is 1 and she is just starting to get into mischief. She liked to be held a daddy is a sucker...
Speaking of daddy, he and I are the busy ones. We took that job in Usk, WA cleaning out a house that had a lot of antiques. We now have a dog because of it, Hunter's new best friend, and we are spending every weekend going up the to work. We also got a great deal on a SUV, so I can't complain too much. I can't wait till that gets done, but I am sure something else will come up..:(
Today the girls and I took a walk up the road. There are a couple of houses that have horses and Jayden loves feeding them. It was the most beautiful day:) We stopped and talked to a lady that was trimming her flowers and her daughter came out then her other daughter and then the dad w/the dog. Buddy, our dog was with us too. When we arrived at the place where the horses used to be there was only one horse. There used to be 3 and they would come running. This one stayed away so Jayden threw a piece of apple over the fence and we left. We then went to the park across the street from our house and played there for a while. After dad arrived home we all went up the street to the elementary school and they played there till it was dark.

busy, busy, busy

My life isn't always exciting but it always seems to be busy. Yesterday was a teacher work day and had kids home from school. I am a glutten for punishment and said I would watch two of my friends kids. I also had an appraiser that showed up early, and a husband that showed up late. (jk.) We are not selling we are trying to re-finance. In trying to get the house ready I hired my handy dandy sister-in-law to come and clean. She did a fabulous job and I am trying to get her more jobs through my work. All's I gotta say is I have my work cut out for me. Since we finished the basement I never have organized. With 2 part time jobs and 2 girls who like to follow me around tear everything apart, I have a hard time keeping up. I am open to some really simple books on organization...

Down with Book Fairs

This week there has been a book fair at Hunter's school. Last night he brought home a wish list- a list of the books he wants. He had help writing the list because they marked exactly where the books are. Hunter wants 6 books =$52.60. I don't think so. I have two bookshelfs full of books. I am all for books and reading but come on! I can't imagine when all my kids get in school and they all want 6 books. I have decided that I would let him pick one book. Am I being unreasonable?

All in a day's work

Alas the birthdays are over, for a couple of months, and I finally have time to do things I have been putting off. My first quest is the girls room. You all know how fast kids grow, especially babies, and keeping her clothes organized has been non-existent. Finally on Sunday I was able to throw out the old dresser that was fallen apart (my mom had rescued it from the dump) it still looks nice on the outside but the insides are coming apart. We brought in a dresser that has been in our garage since Jimmy sold his house, a million years ago, and I was able to organize. I completed Jayden's side then I was too overwhelmed by Sophia's. There are still 3-6 month clothes out that I thought I had put in a bin. Tomorrow is a new day, fresh, to finish the girls room then move onto mine. Yikes!

A sticky situation

I just love my kids to pieces. Especially when our youngest eats. I just though it was so cute, her eating pancakes, and then licking the plate clean...oh, yeah and rubbing it in her hair.

Boys With Soft Hearts

Hunter, my six year old, has such a soft heart. I was downstairs unwinding from my hectic month and he came down and sat on my chair and started watching me. #1 he never sits still for more that 1 second at a time. #2 he never leaves the tv room when the tv is on. So I casually asked him what was going on and his reply is still making me cry. He said that the movie they were watching was sad. There was a man driving a car and was talking and not paying attention and hit and killed a little girl. He started crying when he told me this and I started crying. He reminds me of a little boy that I once knew. He has one of the softest hearts ever, he cares for his family. The little boy that Hunter reminds me of is my brother David. I remember when we were very young and lived in a 2 bedroom trailer. Something happened to a sibling and David was crying because he didn't want them to get in trouble. We girls know what it is to have a soft heart but it's hard to find the boys with the soft hearts.

Trust

Month end is a killer for me. I get very stressed out, and alas it was the last day of September today and all I can say is whew! It was a rocky one. I doubled my hours as a Guardian. Moving two of our clients and Jimmy picked up a job cleaning out a house. Not just any house, no, it was a very dirty house. The Mom was 102, recently deceased, and the son, 74, recently released from the hospital into assisted living. The house they were living in hadn't been cleaned in over 15 years. I am still overwhelmed with all the stuff they accumulated. But my boss gave us the job because she trusts us. She has known my family for over 20 years and that is a big part of it. I felt honored that she even thought of us. Jimmy is always looking for ways to make extra money. That makes me feel so good to know that because of the example our family was for her, she trusts us. My boss and I were overloaded this month and the stress levels rose a couple of notches, yet she still took the time to tell me how thankful she is that she can trust us.

Locked Out!

After my wonderful morning of catching up on my blogging I proceeded to get the kids ready for school and pre-school. Hunter is not allowed to watch TV in the morning until he is completely ready to go. This morning he forgot. After we all are ready and I start loading up the Sophia first, starting the rental car (cold morning) and I turn around to go back in and get all the stuff and the door is closed. I walk to the door and try to open it but alas it is locked! I have no diaper bag, no purse, no work bag, nothing. All the keys are hanging up right inside that door. I kinda freak out. On the way to the bus I realize that we missed that too, so I take a deep breath. I ask Hunter what the rule is about watching TV in the morning and he actually remembers. He apologized for closing the door and we discuss, very calmly his punishment for not following the rules. He thought of something but he didn't tell me because it wouldn't be any fun for him. We decided that he would have no TV for the rest of the day. He apologized again for closing the door and locking us out. He is forgetfull, but he has a great heart.

Hunter's Baptism question

Jayden had a friend named Valerie over for her birthday. She is from the neighbor hood and we see her quite frequently. While Jayden was busy playing in the toy room Valerie and Hunter were in the living room. Hunter asked Valerie how old she was, she replied 7. He then asked her if she was going to get baptized. She asked him "What is that?" At some point he asked her if she "goes to church" and she doesn't. So he proceeded to tell her that when you get baptized is when you get the Holy Ghost. She then asked again what the Holy Ghost was. He replied that when you are going to do something wrong it is a whisper that tells you not to do it. "It says no, don't do that."
It makes me sad to think that there are people in my neighborhood who don't know about God or Jesus. I loved it because he is listening and sharing what he has learned. What a great example he is to me.

Birthday, birthday, birthday and birthday

Yes, we have 4 birthdays in a short period of time and it wipes me out. Every two weeks from August 25th until October 2nd. We started with my birthday in August, one of the kids was sick so I ended up staying home from work (I loved it.) Then little Sophia turned one around the time Chelsey had her accident so she didn't have much of a birthday. I was busy trying running from one work to the hospital then to my other work. Then Jayden turned 3 and she got her princess dress and was in heaven all night dressing and undressing her Polly Pockets. Finally Hunter turns 7 in October, It always seems to be about him. While we were shopping for Jayden he wants me to look at this and that. Then he wants me to buy him something because Jayden is getting stuff. 3 down, one to go.

Families can be together forever

Saturday Jimmy and I went up north to Usk. We had been offered a job to clean a house up there and it was worth our while. Problem being it took about 7 hours of our saturday to "check out" the job. When we arrived home we loaded every one in the van and took off for Greenbluff.
The kids had a blast, Jimmy loved it and I just enjoyed watching my family. I just felt like this is what life is all about, being able to take the time and enjoy it with your family.
Today we went to church and we were early. I was trying to enjoy the speakers and juggle Sophia who didn't want to be held. Finally I gave up and went in to the hall. Peace. I just let her go and I was able to listen and enjoy church. They talked about listening to the Holy Ghost. Then there was a musical number that really touched me. It talked about Heaven and being a mom there. It was just a very uplifting day for me (I don't have too many of those) and I want to be able to be the kind of person who will have a forever family. My heart is softened and I keep on trying.
"Tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes"

Just call me forgetful

Jimmy was suppose to meet a previous client heir and help load things from the storage unit. I wasn't sure of the time. By the time I called we were 15 minutes late. Jimmy hadn't taken the key with him, so I started looking. I looked and looked and looked. I was so frustrated because I had just seen it, somewhere, last week. I had called Jimmy and told him to get the storage manager to cut the lock and we would buy a new one, when I found it. whew! I was on the verge of a nervouse breakdown. I rushed over, only an hour late, and helped because I felt so guilty.

Kokia's b-day

Saturday was my baby's b-day. We started w/a church primary party, which I had to leave to get some fruit I had ordered. Then I sent the "kids" shopping and I prepared the house. I am not a big celebrator, especially for a 1 year old who doesn't get it yet. But we did celebrate w/cupcakes, and she dug into them. GG was there to celebrate with us. The rest of the gang was at the hospital with chelsey. (She was discharged yesterday, whohoo)

Jayden's Prayer

Tonight as we were kneeling w/Jayden she was saying her prayer. Thank thee for my beautiful Cinderella dress, and the crown is so cute.

Hunter's first day of 1st Grade

Hunter is excited to be in the First grade. He loves his teacher, her name when she taught Uncle David was Jodi Baxter. Now her name is Jode Bernard.

Sun and Fun at the Lake

Jayden @ 2 yrs old, has no fear

Mom's birthday

Mom's birthday was August 5th. I had a brilliant Idea to take her to the movie "Mama Mia". I ended up bringing Jayden and we waited in line to buy the ticket, then I took Jayden in and Chelsey took her. I went and bought a drink and popcorn (mom likes popcorn). I dished it out and had to go get another drink (re-fillable), then I sat for a few minutes then Jayden had to go pee. So, out I go again to the restroom, I get back and settle in and Mom needs more popcorn. AGAIN, I leave to get more popcorn. by this time Jayden is getting tired so she starts wandering. I follow her a few minutes, then I pick her up and put her on my lap. She falls asleep for the last 20 minutes of the movie, that was had to watch with Pierce Bronson singing, ew.
Before I left for work I had put a potroast in the crockpot (just in cast). So Everyone comes over to our house after the movie and we have dinner. Dave, Jenessa and Preston came too. So, after I got home I made pasta salad, cleared and set the table, made a cake and Jimmy helped get everything together. I was exhausted.

Hunter in Utah

I called Hunter last night and Monica answered. She has nothing but good to say about Hunter. She gushed about how sweet he is, on and on. Then Hunter was just the happiest boy talking about everything they are doing and the game "Guitar Hero" and how it says he sucks. But he keeps playing so he can get better. Damian is trying to teach him how to do it. He wants Jimmy and I to take to to Silverwood when he gets back. He wants me to c/b tomorrow so he can talk to Sophia and Kirby. He seemed pretty darn happy.

Cherry Pickn'

We went up to Greenbluff on Tuesday July 29th and picked cherries. While I was working at Financial Forum one of our Clients handed out their business card and map. I wanted to go on Saturday but we didn't make it. Jimmy and Kirby were in 7th heaven. They ate as much as they picked. Jayden, Sophia and I were not so lucky. It was windy and the kids were fussy, I stayed as long as I could. Jayden and I ended up picking some apricots and she loved them. They were crunchy just like apples and she loves apples. We started heading back to the car and the keys weren't in my pocket. Yikes. I have no recollection of what I did with them after I had made my millionth trip back to the car for jackets, water.... So we started backtracking, and I started praying. I left Jayden in the stroller and carried Sophia. Jimmy and Kirby were ahead of me and they stopped and said a prayer. We were walking down an isle between the trees the boys were ahead of me. I started to cut across to the outside isle and Jimmy implied that I didn't walk there, I replied that I had to cut across somewhere, as I said that I was looking down and I saw something black in the grass. So, Jimmy decided that he would cut across too. I pointed down in front of Jimmy and asked if those were the keys and he bent down and picked them up and said "yup!" Yeah!! Then we started heading back and we stopped and said a thank you prayer. I never stopped praying the whole time we were looking. It turned out to be a wonderful experience.

Crisis on the on-ramp

Yes, I finally did it. I was driving my Husbands rental (motorcycle still in the shop) and I ran out of gas. I was right across the street from United Rentals, where Pat Morris works so I called Lisa. Lisa called Pat and Pat had one of the guys there bring me some gas. I was sitting on the on ramp to I-90 only for about 15 minutes. So it wasn't so bad.

Working hard, or hardly working?

I have had a busy month so far, I feel like I work for Mandy, a client. I am at Financial Forum this morning then I have a Dr. appt to follow up on my Gal bladder surgery. yesterday I worked for Mandy for 4 1/2 hours. Lots of sitting.
Then I had to go get Hunter ready for a b-day party. I bought extra gifts and we needed one for Kirby. I am thankful he got to go too.

Back to work

Today is my first day back to work since last Thursday. I don't know if I will make it the whole day, but I'm gonna try.

KiKi's first nose bleed

Today is my baby's first nose bleed. Thanks to Hunter, she hit her nose on her dad's head. Dad was not pleased to say the least. Then Hunter decided that he really didn't want a wort growing on his ankle so he pulled it out and blead all over the house. This upset dad too. Hunter was so happy that he pulled out the core. I am totally useless because I just had my gal bladder out yesterday. Daddy is just getting a little taste of what I go through daily.

Grandpa Ron's Birthday

I have been awake since 5 am thinking (scary) about a lot of things and today is my Dad's B-day. I miss my dad. I was very productive cleaning this morning.

ahhh

Today did not start out well. I was ready to beat the boys today. Kirby is so lazy, won't open the van door, and Hunter is over zeleous. I let them ride in the back of the van to Karen's house yesterday. So today he starts climbing in the back and Kirby follows right behind him. But I said he couldn't today. So then he gets all huffy and tells Jayden to shut up. (we don't say that word in our house) Then Music comes on that he doesn't like and he keeps saying it over and over. Then Jayden starts saying it...By the time I got Karens house I was ready to cry. I told Karen to put Hunter in a couple of time out's and told Kirby to spit his candy in the garbage if he doesn't have enough to share with everyone.

Inspiration

Janessa inspired me to start my own blog. I would love to be able to make time to write down what happens in the Smith family daily. It Seems like this year has been the busiest ever. Let's just start out with Sunday. We found out that Hunter has a Staff Infection called MRSA. Jayden threw up from heat stroke and Sophia ate it. My time sheets were suppose to be done by 6am and didn't get done till 10:30 am.

Thinking

I have been thinking about everything I can't remember and wish I would have written them down. So, today I am going to start writing everything down that I can remember. I want to remember the good things, I want my kids to remember the good things. It is a sad day when the only good thing your child can remember is the funny T.V show he watched.